Marsh Banks

Marsh Banks, 6 x 8, L. Daniel, SOLD

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My father-in-law has a great little boat to take out on the rivers and intercoastal waterways. It is really fun to explore all the twists and turns, and get a completely different view of the marshes. On a recent jaunt we ended up at a fabulous little seafood joint where we had delicious fish sandwiches! What a great time (thanks Charlie!) I painted this from a photograph taken that day.

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Harbor Storm

Harbor Storm, 6 x 8, L. Daniel, SOLD

Last week we went up to the little harbor town of Darien, Georgia to paint on the docks. The sky was threatening but we pressed on. I no sooner got set up that it began to rain and I had to move under a bridge for shelter. My view was slightly altered, but I could see the color of all the major parts... thankfully I was doing a small one! :)

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Creek Stop (study)

Creek Stop (study), L. Daniel, 9 x 12

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On Cumberland Island, I discovered this marshland creek while exploring around the ruins of an old mansion. I fully expected to paint something related to the ruins, but my affinity for old, sunbleached dockhouses won out! (There was also a delicious breeze coming off the creek that made standing there cool and bug-free - very delightful!!)

Demo at Anderson Gallery

Abandoned Dock - Demo painting, L. Daniel, 12 x 16

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On Saturday I did the painting above in a live demonstration at Anderson Fine Art Gallery, my gallery here on St. Simons Island. I worked from the plein air study below, sharing my overall thinking about color, composition and process. My audience was encouraging and many of the folks were painters themselves. I really enjoyed their thoughtful questions and input (thanks to all of you who came!!!) .

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Abandoned Dock, L. Daniel, 6 x 12, original plein air study

Painting Demonstration at Anderson Gallery

Mary Anderson (gallery owner) and me at Anderson Gallery

Island Beach

Island Beach, L. Daniel, 9 x 12

Yesterday I painted on Cumberland Island, the southernmost barrier island in Georgia. Getting there requires a ferry ride, and hauling your own food and water for the day. It's a quiet, remote place and this beach expanse says it all. Well, not quite. While I was painting, dolphins were swimming in that bay - so close I could hear them breathing. It sounded like a person doing laps, only a louder. Very cool.

Abandoned Dock

Abandoned Dock, L. Daniel, 6 x 12

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This is another crumbling old dock on the Frederica River that I fear will soon be gone. It is no longer in use and is beginning to cave in. I really love the romantic reminder of past enterprise... fishermen coming and going... fresh fish off to markets and restaurants... I hate to see it go away.

Hidden Cottage

Hidden Cottage, 12 x 16, L. Daniel

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This little cottage sits next to the river and several abandoned fishing docks. It must have been connected to the fishing industry at some point, but now sits empty for repurposing. The land is up for sale, so who knows if this building will even be here next year? Yes, this is probably private property... but if there were signs, I surely didn't see them!!! ;)

River Access

River Access, 12 x 16, L. Daniel

This old wooden dock sits on the main body of the Frederica River. It used to be home to big yellow pilot boats, but now sits empty. The rhythm of the vertical pilings and the spot of warm light on the building catches my eye every time I pass it. Stopping to paint was inevitable.

Five by Seven Art Splurge!!

Untitled, "five by seven" donation, 5 x 7, L. Daniel

Meanwhile, back in Austin, one of my favorite art events of the year took place this weekend (yes, without me!!) The "five by seven art splurge" is an annual fundraiser for the Arthouse at the Jones Center, where artists all donate artwork that measures 5" x 7". There are literally HUNDREDS of small works in all different styles and genres, each for sale at $100. The event is crazy with buzzers and grabbing and great fun is had all around. I was sorry to miss it.

Austin Friends - because of the Arthouse renovations, the exhibit is this weekend only and at an alternate venue: Four Hands Home, 301 Brazos Street. They are open Sunday from 11am - 6pm and admission is free. Stop over and see some great art - you will not be sorry!!!

These are my three donated pieces...

Grandfather's Graybeard

Grandfather's Graybeard, 6 x 8, L. Daniel, SOLD

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Grandfather's Graybeard, also known as Spanish Moss or Tillandsia, is a "romantic symbol of the south" (I read that on a website). It grows everywhere here but I have been totally scared to attempt painting it. Well... yesterday afternoon I faced my fear and tried it. I am sure I will do more now that I jumped the first hurdle. :)

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Dune Grass

Dune Grass, 9 x 12, L. Daniel

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Yesterday I painted at St. Andrew's Beach on Jekyl Island (a neighboring barrier island). What is great about this beach (besides being beautiful) is that there are trees near the shore that provide shade for picnic-ers and painters alike. Silly? I suppose, but I need the shade when I paint outside. The beach is particularly blinding so trees are my friends! :)

Fishing Creek

Fishing Creek, 12 x 16, L. Daniel

When my husband was a little boy, his father took him fishing in this creek which was right down the street from the family beach house. Years later, Bill took our children fishing there too. Kids still throw in their lines at this spot and seeing them always brings a smile to my face... life continues on...

Our old beach house no longer exists, but the one I am staying in very similar and is right down the street. In January of 2009, I did a painting of it for my son. Click here to see it. I loved that old place and still miss it.

Cloud Covered Marsh

Cloud Covered Marsh, 9 x 12, L. Daniel

St. Simons Island is a barrier island that is separated from the main land by rivers and salt marshes. These marshlands are a distinctive and evocative feature of the area - low horizontal stretches that ebb and flow with water from the tides. Large cloud banks have been rolling in each afternoon adding big drama in the sky. Love it!

Many thanks to the folks at dear ada blog for their kind mention of my small paintings!!! Check out the blog for colorful and joyous finds!!! Thanks y'all!

Ocean Cypress

Ocean Cypress, 12 x 16, L. Daniel

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This weathered cypress looks like it has survived many seasons of wind and ocean spray. I was drawn to its gnarly limbs and interesting negative shapes, and, of course, to the ocean-blue in the distance!

Beach Path

Beach Path, 6 x 8, L. Daniel, SOLD

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I can't believe my first week on St. Simons Island is over!! My husband has been with me, so after I painted in the mornings, we spent afternoons on the beach at high tide and reading in beach chairs. That is some kind of life, I know!!! A vacation to be sure. :) He has now gone back to Austin for work (he will come and go) and I will be ramping up the painting hours! I fully realize that this opportunity is a huge blessing, and I appreciate it fully!

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Pine Grove

Pine Groves, 9 x 12, L. Daniel

A light mist over this small pond separated the components of the landscape into very distinct layers. The pine grove in the foreground emerged with its whimsical trunks and interesting shapes - it was very fun to paint!! (Meanwhile, a couple of alligators live in this pond, and one of them watched us the whole time we were there. We kept a healthy distance to say the least!)

Woodbine Farm

Woodbine Farm, 12 x 9, L. Daniel

I am so fortunate to have a great friend and painting partner down here... Alyson Tucker. She lives on the island and paints with me whenever I come. How great is that??? On Wednesday, she took me to Woodbine, Georgia to paint with her local plein air group at an old rice plantation site. (I am pretty sure this barn had nothing to do with the plantation era, but I couldn't pass it up.) We finished up a great morning with delicious fish sandwiches at Captain Stan's Restaurant... if you are ever in Woodbine, I highly recommend it!!! (Thanks Alyson!)

Morning Dunes

Morning Dunes, 6 x 8, L. Daniel, SOLD

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Yesterday morning I hit the beach early to catch the sunlight on the dunes. The sky was overcast and threatening rain... which did, indeed, arrive later in the day. We had a big rainstorm that soaked everything (especially our beach towels on the line) but it was a perfect afternoon for reading and a nap. :)

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River's Edge

River's Edge, 9 x 12, L. Daniel

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After a long drive (and a nice stop in New Orleans) we are now settled in on St. Simons Island in Georgia. My husband's family is here and it's a place I love to visit and to paint. This time I get to stay for 5 weeks! We rented a fabulous beach house that will be perfect for me to work out of and I am absolutely pinching myself! Yesterday, I was able to get out to the Frederica River for a morning painting. The low country marshes and roaring ocean are a beautiful sight!

Sky Plumes

Sky Plumes, 6 x 6, L. Daniel, SOLD

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Oooooops! Yesterday I promised to post the larger version of "Rosy Billows" but apparently I never photographed it. This means I will not be able to do it until I get back to Austin next month. I will post both again then. So sorry (I thought I was so organized). Meanwhile, here is another small sky study. We have arrived in Georgia and I can't wait to get painting here!

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Rosy Billows (Study)

Rosy Billows, 6 x 6, L. Daniel, SOLD

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This is the study for another painting in my big sky series inspired by West Texas. The vivid pink reflection in the clouds at the end of the day was so compelling. It was too late for me to start painting, but I got some notes and photos to work with when I got home. Tomorrow I will post the larger version.

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